What is a Process?

• A series of actions which are

carried out in order to
achieve a particular result
• A set activities that interact
to produce a result
• A series of actions or steps
taken in order to achieve a
particular end
Types of Processes
▪ Natural Process ▪ Biological Process
Examples: Water Cycle, Examples: Photosynthesis,
Cycle of Seasons Process of Digestion
▪ Mechanical Process
Examples:
How does a car engine work?
How does a refrigerator work
Types of Processes
▪ Social Process
Examples:
How to get a driving license?
How to start a business?
▪ Industrial Process
Examples:
How is olive oil made?
How is paper manufactured?
What is a Process Description?
• A precise portrayal of events occurring
over time that lead to some outcome
• It is written to provide the reader with
background information on how a
process is or was accomplished.
• It describes the steps in the operation
of a mechanism or the steps in a
conceptual process.
What is a Process Description?
• It focuses on the mechanism’s function and how the parts
work together rather than the physical attributes of the
mechanism.
Mechanism Description Process Description
vs.
Describes the physical Describes the steps
attributes of a mechanism of a process
and how it operates
Outline of a Process Description
A.Introduction
1. What is this process?
2. Why is this process
performed?
3. What are the major steps of
this process?
B. Equipment and Materials
C. Step-by-step Description
of the Process
1. Step no.1
2. Step no. 2
3. Step no. 3 and so on…
D. Conclusion (optional)
Writing the Process Description
➢ Introduction
The introduction to a process description contains general
information that prepares the reader for the specific details that
will follow. In the introduction, you define the process, explain its
principles of operation (if necessary), and preview the major
sequences.
1. What is this process?
Define the process with a technical definition and add extensions
necessary for the reader to understand the discussion.
Writing the Process Description
2. Why is this process performed? ➢ Equipment and Materials
Explain the purpose of the process. Describe the equipment
Sometimes simply explaining what the and the materials needed
process is or defining it, makes the to achieve the result or
purpose clear. output.
3. What are the major steps of this
process?
List the major steps of the mechanism’s
operation in the order that they will be
discussed.
Writing the Process Description
➢ Step-by-step Description of the Process
✓ In describing the step, the writer must
say everything the readers need to
know to understand, perhaps even to
visualize the process.
✓ Describe what happens during this
step. Show the relationship between
this step and the next.
Writing the Process Description
✓ Write one paragraph for each step of
the process. Each paragraph should
begin with a general statement
about the end goal or main activity.
Then the remainder of the
paragraph explains in more detail
the action necessary to achieve that
goal.
✓ Do the same for the rest of the steps
until all steps are discussed.
Writing the Process Description
➢ Conclusion
Conclusions are optional. At
times writers follow the
description with a discussion
of the advantages and
disadvantages of the process
or with a brief summary.
Writing the Process Description
✓ Use the traditional paragraph
approach in writing the
process description since you
will be giving your reader more
background information.
✓ Write in chronological order.
Numbered steps are not ✓Explain more of the whys
necessary. in a process description.
Writing the Process Description
✓ Headings and other technical writing
tools are important.
✓ It may be written in the past, present
or even future tenses.
✓ It does not use the imperative voice.
✓ Passive voice may be used to
emphasize the process.
✓ To enhance the process description,
visuals may be added.
Sources:
A. Book

Mills, G.H. & Walter, J.A. (1980). Technical writing 4th ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, Inc.

B. Internet

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-clinton-technicalwriting/chapter/instructions-process-
descriptions/